Mohawk Valley Water Authority – August 17, 2009
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM and opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Present: Rocco Arcuri, Bruce Brodsky,
Vincent Coyne,
Chairman DeLia presided and Suzanne Harmon took the minutes.
Approval of the July 20, 2009 Minutes:
Motion made by Mr. Coyne to approve the minutes.
Seconded by: Mr. Arcuri
Vote: (9) Ayes
(0) Nays
(1) Abstain - Mr. Trevisani
(2) Absent
Motion Carried.
Presentation of Audited Financial Statements
Brian Dumont from Dermody Burke & Brown our auditor, quoted from the Independent
Auditor’s Report where it stated that “In our opinion, the financial statements
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Water Authority as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of
its operations and cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.”
Mr. Dumont stated that is the best opinion you can receive.
As discussed in Note 12, during 2009 the Water Authority adopted the accounting
provisions of GASB Statement No. 45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by
Employers for Postemployment Benefits other than Pensions.
In the past the MVWA was on a pay as you go basis for health insurance
but standards have changed. The change
has added an accrued liability to the balance sheet of MVWA.
Under the Non-operating revenues (expenses) changes in net assets shows a
liability for post employment health benefits of ($569,229).
In regards to the internal control over financial reporting – the audit did not
identify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that
would be considered a material weakness.
The Board will be receiving the Letter of Observations and Recommendations dated
March 31, 2009 for review.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to accept the audit.
Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2)
Absent
Motion Carried.
Resolution: Award of Contract No. 1 for General Construction for the Proposed
The Board’s current Capital Improvement Plan calls for construction of two 6
million gallon concrete water storage tanks on the
Motion made by: Mr. Coyne
Seconded by: Mr. Trevisani
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2)
Absent
Motion Carried.
Resolution: Award of Contract No. 2 for Electrical Construction for the Proposed
The electrical construction scope involves furnishing and installing power and
control wiring, standby generator, controls and SCADA components for the new
tanks and control building and related facilities.
Bids were received from four contracting firms of which SC Spencer
Electrical, Inc. of
Motion made by: Mr. Coyne
Seconded by: Mr. Trevisani
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2)
Absent
Motion Carried
Resolution: Acquisition of TOXcontrol On-Line Biological Monitoring System
The MVWA has undertaken a program to install several types of on-line water
quality measuring equipment at key locations throughout the regional system.
The TOXcontrol analyzer by Microlan Corp. is an automated biological
early warning system that will enhance MVWA’s monitoring for potentially toxic
constituents not currently monitored by other types of devices in the
distribution system. The purchase
of the TOXcontrol analyzer from Microlan Corp. in the amount of $41,255.00 is
authorized which sum is to be paid as a capital improvement out of the Board’s
Capital Improvement Fund under the Yorkville Meter House SCADA and Monitoring
budget item and the System Wide Water Quality Improvements budget item.
Motion made by: Mr. Trevisani
Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2)
Absent
Motion Carried
Presentation: GIS/Electronic Mapping & Hydraulic Modeling
Lis D’Gironimo discussed monitoring, mapping and modeling.
Some MVWA facts and figures:
60 facilities (tanks, reservoirs & pump stations) and 22 pressure zones.
MVWA serves more than 125,000 people, has 39,000 customer accounts,
approx. 700 miles of pipe, 3,600 hydrants and 13,500 valves.
Mapping evolution – scanned and vectorized system maps, scanned as built
maps, created hydrant & main databases and GPS located system hydrants.
GPS technology – global positioning system, often considered a public utility
and three major grades of GPS receiver: survey, mapping and consumer.
MVWA Mobile mapping: 24/7 access to mapping, rugged, secure and reliable system,
redlining and asset tracking, mapping not wireless, 3 tablet computers currently
deployed.
Review and Approval of the Revised Procurement Policy
Mr. Korfonta stated that two sections in the policy have changes.
The first one is the professional services section states that legal services
must be awarded by the Board of Directors.
Other professional services not exceeding $5,000 are awarded by the
Executive Director. All other
professional services estimated to exceed $5,000 must be awarded by action of
the Board of Directors.
Construction contracts not exceeding $5,000 it is encouraged to obtain written
price quotes and review and approval by the Executive Director.
When a contract exceeds $5,000 but less than $20,000 these contracts will
be awarded by the Executive Director.
Contracts which are estimated to exceed $20,000 will be awarded by action
of the Board.
Motion made by: Mr. Wicks
Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (10) Ayes
(0) Nays
(0) Abstain (2)
Absent
Motion Carried
Committee Reports:
Capital Projects:
Mr. DeLia stated that the committee did
meet this month and discussed agenda items 4, 5 and 6.
Mr. DeLia was not at that meeting.
Budget and Finance:
Mr. Arcuri held his first committee
meeting with staff members.
Three items were discussed:
1) The proposed revisions to the Procurement Policy.
2) The structure of the monthly financial report – Mr. Korfonta will look at a
new structure for the report.
3) The water rate model – Mr. Korfonta will put together a full board
presentation.
Mr. Coyne would like to have a separate meeting on the water rate model.
Personnel Committee:
Mr. Ryan stated that the committee did not meet this month.
Don and Bruce presented
Operations:
Mr. Wallace stated that the committee did not meet this month.
Chairman DeLia stated that Ms. Szesny and Mr. Trevisani would be on the
Governance Committee with Mr. Coyne as the Chair.
Mr. Gaston and Mr. Ryan will be joining Mr. Brodsky, Chair on the Audit
Committee.
Executive Director’s Report:
-
Automated Meter
-
Disaster Recovery Plan is almost completed.
The three computer tough books are available along with the new
blackberries, which will allow staff to communicate offsite.
The major pieces are now in place.
A report will be made to the Board soon.
-
The next meeting with the Canal Corporation and Thruway Authority will be
next Wednesday, the 19th in
-
The August 6 court date was postponed until the first or second week of
September.
-
The City of
Old Business:
Chairman DeLia stated that he would like the draft revised By-laws with
remaining issues mailed out to all Board members for review prior to the next
Board meeting.
Mr. Coyne moved to go into Executive Session at 6:15 PM to discuss the
litigation with the Canal Corporation.
Seconded by Mr. Trevisani.
Motion Carried.
Executive Session:
Went into Executive Session at 6:23 PM.
Motion made by Mr. Ryan to come out of Executive Session at 7:06 PM.
Seconded by: Mr. Brodsky.
Motion Carried.
The next Board meeting will be held on Monday, September 21, 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Suzanne M. Harmon, Secretary
